Recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
